Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body;Symptoms may not appear for many years, so most people don't even realize they are carrying certain harmful organisms.There are many types of parasitic worms for which the human body provides a natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their eating habits.Unlike bacteria involved in the digestion process and in symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a number of diseases during their lifetime.
The main types of parasites found in humans
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body, and they can enter the body in a variety of ways.Many people think that they wash their hands and food enough to avoid acquiring such "parasites", but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures are not able to completely protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one or another type of parasite.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that not all possible invasions have yet been studied.More than 250 species of parasitic worms are currently known, and they can live not only in the intestines, but also in other organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, muscle fibers, hair and nails.In fact, any organ of the human body can easily become home to many types of parasites.There are many parasites that are often found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, approximately 100 million people are infected with this parasite every year.As a rule, damage occurs due to the ingestion of unwashed vegetables, as well as contaminated objects.Roundworms attack the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.Can be spread not only by humans, but also by animals
- Pinworms.A common parasite in groups of children.As a rule, infection occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc.Pinworms live in the large and small intestines.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes greater than 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, porcine, canine, dwarf, and broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system and therefore suck nutrients from the body.These organisms particularly love vitamin B12 and folic acid, which is why patients with such parasites have a significant deficiency in these elements.
- Toxocara.Parasite that usually affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an animal.The length of an adult individual can reach 30 cm.Almost any organ and tissue can be affected, but the prognosis is particularly poor if the eyeballs are affected, as this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye.
- Alveococcus and Echinococcus.These microorganisms usually enter the human body through contact with an infected carrier animal or its feces.The carriers are often foxes.In the human body, these parasites can enter any organ, but they especially like the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Rupture of the cyst can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite closely resembles the roundworm.Infection usually occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed fruits and vegetables.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 cm in length.Can affect almost all organs and tissues.During their life, they release toxic waste into the bloodstream.A representative of roundworms, Trichinella, is the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and has a severe course, therefore in 30% of cases it leads to the death of the patient.
- Whipworm.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs when eating food and water contaminated with eggs of the pathogen.Additionally, infection can occur through household items.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary wall of the intestine.The lifespan of the parasite is approximately 5 years.
- Trematodes.This is a common type of tapeworm that can parasitize lung tissue, blood vessels, intestines, and liver.Typically, infection with these parasites occurs through consumption of insufficiently processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasite infestation
Parasites, to live normally in the human body, are attached to the walls of organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hairs, suction cups, which irritate the tissues, causing inflammatory processes.In addition, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste, and under certain conditions can eat healthy tissues, thereby causing significant damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but with frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are many common symptoms of people suffering from parasitic infestations, including:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue;
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- stool problems;
- headaches and migraines;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations;
- insomnia;
- decreased immune system;
- allergic reactions;
- increased nervousness;
- decrease in performance.
The degree of intensity of the manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasites, but also on the degree of damage they cause to certain tissues.For example, if there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of choking can occur.In case of parasitic lesions of the brain, the manifestations can be very diverse, including convulsions, seizures, etc.Signs of the presence of parasites in the human body may not show obvious symptoms for a long time.Therefore, in order to accurately determine the presence of parasites, preventive diagnostics should be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treating parasitic infestations
In order to effectively treat parasite infestations, you must first determine the type of parasite.Most often used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological program;
- hemoscan;
- serological study.
All medical anthelmintic drugs can be divided into those containing chemically synthesized substances and herbal drugs.Treating a parasite infestation is often an extremely difficult task, because the chemicals, although effective in most cases, remain very toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites, but also for the human body.A regimen of antiparasitic medications should be prescribed by a doctor after identifying the type of parasite.Herbal preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by pests, but are not dangerous for humans.However, the disadvantages of these agents include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infestations.
Methods for preventing parasitic infestations
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from infection with parasites, because their eggs are extremely resistant and can remain without a host for a long time.At the same time, there are a number of rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you must take care of your hygiene and wash your hands thoroughly before eating.
In addition, you should always have antibacterial wipes with you, which will be very useful in cases where it is not possible to wash your hands or disinfect the surface.
Products should only be purchased in specialized stores that have all certificates confirming their safety.All vegetables, including leaves, and fruits should be doused with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and shellfish meat, should be cooked thoroughly.If you want to boil or fry the meat, it is very important not to taste the raw meat.Insufficiently salted fish flesh can cause infection with parasites.You should therefore not eat such dishes if they have not been kept in a salty solution for a sufficient period of time.
If there are pets in the house, they should receive preventive vaccinations that will protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect the presence of parasites help avoid dangerous complications.